Bovine Dystocia Management

Question 1

What are 2 questions you would want to ask in your history of a dystocia case?

Answer 1

Length of the problem

Who has attempted the delivery

Question 2

What 2 things do you want to know from your PE (which will be very brief because this is an Emergency)?

Answer 2

Hydration status

Is she standing or recumbent?

Question 3

What facilities do you need for dealing with a dystocia?

Answer 3

A chute with a swing gate is ideal.

NOTE: Make sure everyone is aware when the gate is swinging.

Question 4

When performing the vaginal exam for a dystocia case, what do you do first?

Answer 4

Wash the vulvua and perineum with warm water and mild antiseptic.

Question 5

During the vaginal exam for a dystocia patient, what do you examine the vagina and cervix for?

Answer 5

Making sure there is no damage, and enough elasticity and lubrication. Good way to cover your ass so people don’t blame and damage to the cow on you.

Question 6

What are the fetal Ps?

Answer 6

Presentation
Position
Posture

Question 7

When examining the fetus in a dystocia case, what are you looking for?

Answer 7

The 3 Ps
Is the animal still alive
Checking the amniotic fluid

Question 8

What may indicate that a calf is hypoxic in a dystocia case?

Answer 8

Excessive movement of extremities or the tongue.

Question 9

When examining the amniotic fluid of a dystocia calf, what does presence of meconium (green staining) tell you?

Answer 9

Calf is stressed.

Question 10

When examining the amniotic fluid of a dystocia calf, what does presence of a fetid odor tell you?

Answer 10

The calf has died

Question 11

When examining a dystocia, how do you know if you have the hind limbs or the front limbs?

Answer 11

Front limbs: Joints bend in the same direction.

Hind limbs: Joints bend in different directions.

Question 12

What is mutation with regards to obstetrical management?

Answer 12

Fetus is restored to a deliverable fashion.

Question 13

What is repulsion with regards to obstetrical management?

Answer 13

Pushing the fetus out of the maternal pelvis back into the uterine cavity.

Question 14

What is the purpose of repulsing a fetus?

Answer 14

Gives you more space to mutate the fetus.

Question 15

What is rotations with regards to obstetrical management?

Answer 15

Turning the fetus on it’s longitudinal axis.

Question 16

What is version with regards to obstetrical management?

Answer 16

Turning the fetus on it’s transverse axis into a cranial or caudal presentation.

NOTE: This presentation is rare in cattle.

Question 17

When using eyehooks on a dystocia, where do you put them?

Answer 17

Into the eyesockets.

Question 18

What is the Krey hook for in a dystocia?

Answer 18

To help apply traction to the head of the calf.

Question 19

What is a Cornell detorsion rod used for?

Answer 19

To help turn the fetus if there is a uterine torsion.

Question 20

What does Dr. French recommend doing with lube in a dystocia case?

Answer 20

Using lots of it, pump it in behind the calf to really help facilitate calving.

Question 21

What is VERY important to remember about using J-Lube in a dystocia?

Answer 21

Don’t use it if there’s even a chance that they dystocia could go to C-section because if it leaks into the abdomen, it will cause peritonitis and death.

Question 22

When re-positioning the calf’s feet during a dystocia?

Answer 22

Protect the hoof so it doesn’t cause damage to the dam.

Question 23

How many adults should you have on the calving chains when trying to hand deliver a dystocia?

Answer 23

No more than 2.

Question 24

What is the lay term for mechanical fetal extractors?

Answer 24

Calf jack

Question 25

What is an important thing to do for owners with regards to a calf jack?

Answer 25

Teach them how to use it properly to avoid damaging the dam.

Question 26

Describe proper chain placement for hand delivering a calf.

Answer 26

There should be a loop above, and a half-hitch below the fetlock with the connecting chain on the top of the leg.

Question 27

When pulling a dystocia calf, how are you and your assistants positioned?

Answer 27

Someone (probably you) are right at the cow giving direction while your assistants are pulling when you tell them to.

Question 28

What is the proper way to apply traction to a dystocia calf?

Answer 28

Traction on one forelimb, then the opposite to avoid shoulder lock.

EG. Number people 1 and 2. 1 pulls hard, then 2 adds a little tension, then 1 pulls hard again and 2 applies a little tension and so on.

Question 29

What do you need to do with a dystocia calf to avoid hip lock?

Answer 29

As the fetal head emerges, rotate the calf to fit the hips through the birth canal.

Question 30

Once a dystocia calf is out, how do you proceed?

Answer 30

Place the calf in sternal, use a bulb syringe to clear the nasal passages.

Question 31

What are some other options that you can try instead of pulling a dystocia calf?

Answer 31

Live calf: C-section

Dead calf: Fetotomy